Prevalence, impact and risk factors of hepatitis C infection

The present study was designed to investigate the status of hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection and associated risk factors among Egyptian military recruits. The impact of HCV infection on liver function was also assessed. The sera of 726 military recruits were tested for HCV antibodies using second generation ELISA technique [Ortho]. The overall prevalence was 330.4%. Considering the presence of hepatitis B and/or schistosomiasis infection, HCV antibodies were detected in 30.0% of HBsAg carriers, 36.8% of bilharzial patients and 48.8% of those with concomitant infections. Among individuals without schistosomiasis or HBV infection, the rate decreased to 22.5% positive with HCV. The present study indicated that parenteral exposure to the virus might be the most important route for acquiring infections while blood transfusion had a very minor role. The study of the impact of HCV on liver functions revealed that a single infection with HCV only was associated with almost normal liver function tests. However, infection with more than one hepatitis virus revealed a greater impact on the liver function. Morbidity also increased when schistosomiasis infection was superimposed

effects of praziquantel administration on the course of hepatitis B among cases with concomitant schistosome infection

The present work was designed to study the course of HB virus infection among bilharzial and non-bilharzial patients and to assess the therapeutic effect of praziguantel administration on subsequent course of HB among individuals with concomitant infections. This study included 26 bilharzial. cases, 14 cases with HB and 40 cases with both infections [HB and schistosomiasis]. Praziquantel was administered to all bilharzial positive cases. Sera were Collected from all groups prior to antibilharzial chemotherapy, and then later at three and six months post treatment. The results show improvement of both liver function tests and cell mediated immunity as estimated by increased mean value of CD[3], CD[4], helper/suppressor ratio among individuals who received praziquantel in the two groups with schistoscmiasis and concomitant infection. Furthermore the individuals who lost their HB surface antigenaemia were found to have a higher mean pan T cells, CD[4] values, normal helper/suppressor ratio and absence of C1C in their sera than those who retained their carrier state. The follow up of HB carriers demonstrated a higher cure rate [clearance of HBsAg] among the group with concomitant infection as compared to the group with virus hepatitis only. RBV type two infection was common among the study population accounting for 25.9% of HBsAg positive cases. 42.9% of them cleared their antigeneamia after treatment with praziquantel

Trichinosis in some carnivores and rodents from Alexandria, Egypt

Examination of samples from diaphragms, thighs and tongues of different carnivores and rodents collected from piggeries and the slaughter house of Alexandria was performed using compressorium and digestion techniques. T. spiralis infection was found in appreciable rates in all examined species except in cats, where no infection could be detected. The highest prevalence rate was obtained in R. norvegicus. In dogs, both age and sex had no significant effect on the occurrence of infection. However in rats, older animals were more infected than younger ones, but both sexes were equally infected. The digestion technique proved to be more sensitive and practical than the compressorium technique